Clothing You'll Want to Keep

The Natural Fiber Guide: Build a Wardrobe You Love

Have you noticed most “sustainable” companies focus on saving the earth, but not as much on our body’s health? The future of fashion is a return to natural fibers that benefit the health of women and families. "Sustainable" recycled plastics with high price tags and semi-synthetic fibers or conventional cotton wasn't the way. We don't believe recycled plastic, toxic dyes and other synthetic fibers are sustainable when they harm our bodies. Part of our mission is creating clothing collections that help women care for their bodies, as they care for their families and communities, to the glory of God. 

When building a natural fiber wardrobe, you're building a wardrobe that can stand the test of time. You're choosing clothing you'll want to keep and benefit the health of your whole family. Some key elements will be a cohesive color palette, classic silhouettes, and a wardrobe where beauty and function meet. 

Natural fibers tend to be more comfortable than any synthetic fiber. Natural fibers have breathable capabilities and help regulate temperature. They are beautiful and age well - no synthetic can compare. When organic, they are gentle on sensitive skin, free from harsh chemicals and irritants found in synthetic fabrics, making them soft and safe for your skin—especially important for postpartum or nursing moms.

We'll dive a little deeper into three of my favorite and most wearable natural fibers.

LINEN (Mechanically Processed): A favorite fabric for the warmer months. Mechanically processed linen is made from flax fibers separated through natural and mechanical means — typically dew retting or water retting, then mechanically breaking, scutching, and hackling the fibers. This avoids the chemical retting and softening methods used in much of today’s “commercial” or “softened” linen. 

  • Linen is very breathable so it's perfect for year-round wear - especially when layered up with soft cotton basics, and wool sweaters during the colder months. 
  • When you roll or bunch the fabric in your hand, good linen will wrinkle but it will also bounce back slightly.
  • Because of the moisture wicking properties, pure linen it should feel slightly cool to the touch.

ORGANIC COTTON: Nothing is better than organic cotton for year-round wear and I love it because it can be affordable, comfortable and easy to care for. Organic cotton is the perfect material for everyday dresses and layering pieces with your other natural fiber pieces.

  • Organic cotton means at least 95% organic fibers 
  • Most conventional cotton is dyed with azo dyes - petroleum based chemicals that cause endocrine disruption, so look for organic cotton for no toxic dyes, finishes or synthetics. 
  • Conventional cotton doesn't have restrictions on ethics and labor

NON-SUPERWASHED WOOL: I love wool for jackets, scarves, socks, and of course sweaters. Superwashing is a chemical treatment used to make wool machine-washable. It removes or coats the natural scales on the fiber with chlorine (to burn off scales), and polymer resins (like Hercosett) to coat the fiber. So I prefer non-superwashed wool for a healthy natural fiber option.

  • Non-superwashed wool avoids harmful chemicals and keeps its natural fiber structure — the lanolin, scales, and all. It’s fully biodegradable, naturally odor-resistant, flame-resistant, and breathable. Requires gentle hand washing, but is the healthiest option.
  • A more rustic woolly “hand” or texture; it also has better natural “grip” of stitches (which benefits cables, texture) because the fibers can “hook” to each other.
  • Since wool can come from different animals (sheep, alpaca, goats), there’s a lot of texture variety.
  • Quality wool will be 100% wool or a blend of wool and other natural fibers like cashmere or silk so always check the label for these details.
  • Alpaca has been a lifelong favorite, proving to be one of the warmest, coziest pieces in my wardrobe. Alpaca wool is softer than sheep’s wool and often compared to cashmere in feel.

Steps to Build a Natural Fiber Wardrobe

Building a natural fiber wardrobe may feel overwhelming at first, or maybe it's exciting for you - the key is taking one step at a time, so you can slowly create a functional and beautiful wardrobe that's affordable and feels like you (especially because it's long-lasting fibers and not based on trendy styles).

Take Inventory of Your Current Wardrobe

Start by reviewing what you already own. Decide which pieces you want to keep, donate, or sell. Focus on keeping items made from natural fibers and timeless styles that you enjoy wearing through different seasons of life.

Think Long Term: Timeless, Not Trends

Choose pieces that will outlast the trends. Find what styles work for you and that you feel truly comfortable in and fit your own lifestyle - not someone else's. These are your wardrobe staples, the foundational pieces that you can work with each time you go to your closet.

Holistically Curate Your Closet

Don’t think of your closet as a whole bunch of individual pieces - think of it as one unit - pieces to a larger puzzle. Your items should work together, with a cohesive color palette, build off one another, and make your closet more wearable with pieces you're drawn to time and time again. Choose colors that go with your skin tone, eyes, and hair color - don't follow trends, follow your own coloring. 

Buy Slowly 

Let your wardrobe be a peaceful process. You don’t need to buy everything at once—instead you can slowly build as your budget allows and as you find the right pieces, using your chosen color palette. Think about what gaps you need to fill in your wardrobe to make it more wearable. Remember it's quality over quantity. 

The Everyday Dress

You may be pining for all the gorgeous linen dresses, puffy sleeves and cinched bodices. And those have a place in your closet (I'm extremely partial to linen dresses and every floral dress, so I get it). But an easy, everyday dress is essential. I was craving a simple, feminine, soft and cozy dress with zero scratchiness, and felt like wearing nothing, so I made organic The Everyday Dress for Adorned Organics. Get a dress that can take you from the garden to the kitchen, pre-pregnancy to nursing, that is both beautiful and functional. 

Foundational Layers

Build in your foundational layers with cozy, breathable organic cotton layering pieces. A soft, stretchy, slim-fitting long-sleeve top gives you a lot more flexibility in pregnancy letting you change your outfits up with the layering pieces. We love our simple white, cropped cap sleeve tee for under our linen dresses. And of course a stretchy, cozy long-sleeve wrap top for every season in earthy, neutral colors that go with every dress, makes them even more wearable in all seasons. Organic cotton layering leggings and biker shorts with comfy, stretchy waistbands are also a favorite. And finally, organic, natural fiber bralettes and briefs complete the foundational layering pieces for your natural fiber closet.

Garment Care 101

Follow the recommended washing, drying, and storage guidelines to extend the life of your natural fiber garments. Proper care helps maintain their quality, softness, and durability over time. Check out our Care Guide to learn more.

 

NATURAL FIBER CAPSULE CHECKLIST

(Use this checklist as a guide and inspiration not as a rulebook - make it your own!)

 

CORE ESSENTIALS

These are your everyday, mix-and-match pieces:

 2–3 Organic Cotton Tees for Layering (neutral + one color you love)

 2 Layering Tanks for Dresses

Wrap Top 

(organic cotton or wool for layering)

 1–2 Bottoms: Skirt or linen trousers

2-3 Everyday Dresses (versatile enough for layering or wearing solo)

2-3 Organic Toxin-Free Nursing Dresses

SEASONAL LAYERS

Adjust with the seasons—keep these natural and cozy:

 Wool or Organic Cotton Sweaters

 Wool Coat or Jacket (for cooler seasons)

 Organic Cotton Layering Leggings

 Organic Cotton Layering Biker Shorts for Dresses

 Lightweight Linen or Cotton Wrap for all seasons

SLEEP + INTIMATES

Soft and breathable:

 Organic Cotton Briefs and Bralette 

 Organic Cotton Sleepwear Set

 Organic Cotton Slip Dress

WINTER ADDITIONS (if needed):

 Thermal Wool Base Layer or Leggings

 Wool Socks or Hats

 

Wearing natural fiber dresses with my mother since the beginning :)